Platform support for cameras



Aug. 7, 1928.

L. W. LESS'LER I PLATFORM SUPPORT FOR CAMERAS Filed Aug. 1, 192'?INVENTOR.

Lfk/MLESSLER. I

Patented Aug. 7, 1928.

UNITED STATES NEW YORK;

PATENTY "OF-Fig g; v,

LEW 'W. LESSLER, or JOHNSON crrx'nnw Yortxpiiss'iienon, BY ivrnsnnASSIGNMENTS,

o AGFA Ansco CORPORATION, or BINGHAMTON, new YoRx, A conrona rrononPLATFORM sorronr non CAMERAS. V

My invention relates to means for supporting the platform of aphotographic camera of the folding type when the same 1S lowered to itsposition for carrying the sliding front of the camera. v

The primary object of my invention 15 to provide a novel type ofsupporting leg of few parts, easily assembled and which occupies aminimum amount of space on the camera. r

A further object is to provide a novel tension device for frictionallymaintaining the supporting member in either of its two positions.

parent as the description proceeds, reference being had to theaccompanying draw ng wherein like reference numerals indicate likeparts. r

In the drawings 1 Figure 1 is a perspective view of a photographiccamera with the platformopened and illustrating the tension device formy improved supporting leg. I

Figure 2 is a detail plan new of the platform showing the recessedplatform for receiving the supporting leg.

Figure 3 is a similar view showing the bearing member mounted on theplatform.

Figure 4 is a detail perspective, view of the bearing.

' Figure 5 is a detail perspective View of the supporting leg.

Figure 6 is a detail cross section of a part of the camera platformillustrating 1n side elevation the manner of mounting my improvedsupporting leg thereon.

The reference numeral 1 indlcates generally the body of a conventionaltype of folding camera provided with the usual spool pins 2,.winding key3, carrying handle 4, sliding front 5, shutter 6, platform 7, andplatform supporting brackets 8. v

Mounted longitudinally of the platform 7 is a strip 9, flanged upwardlyand outwardly [at its sides to provide tracks'or rails 10 upon which thesliding front 5 may move.

The strip 9 is preferably cut away asat 11 to lighten its weight.Adjacent the front end of the strip 9, there is struck up an integral,resilient tongue member 12 shown clearly in Figure 1.

Directly beneath the free end of the resilient spring tension member 12,the plat- Other objects and advantages will be ap-'" form 7 is recessedas at 13, and this recess is countersunk as at 14 to receive a bearingmember. 15, also recessed centrally as-at' 16" and provided at eitherend with cup shaped bearing sockets 17 adapted to. receive the laterallyextending ears or pintles 18 of the supporting leg 19 As shown clearlyin Figure 5, one end of the supporting leg 19 is bent upwardly at rightangles to the body of the leg and then againforwardly as at 20 in aplane parallel with that ofthe body of the supporting leg. The laterallyextending pintles 18 are formed from the edge s'of' the upwardlyextending portion of'the legand as before explained, are adapted .torest in the bearing sockets 17. r

In assembling the parts just described,

the bearing plate 15 is first droppediwithin the countersunk recess 13of the platform and the supporting leg 19 is then let down through theopenings 16 and 13 until the pintles 18'engage within the bearings "17.The strip 9 is then secured to the platform 7 asby pins or rivets 21 andin suchposi I tion, the upsetend 20 of-the supporting leg engagesdirectly against the resilient tension member 12.

The operation of my invention is best illustrated in Figure 6. Normallythe supporting'leg19 occupies the position shown in full lines int-hisfigure, that is folded back against the lower surface of the platform 7.In such position, the upset end'20 is parallel with the tension member12, which exerts sufficient pressure thereon to hold the supporting leg19 in this position. If now it is desired to use the supporting leg, itis pivoted downwardly to the dotted line position of. Figure 6-whereupon the upset end 20 moves back withrelation to the spring tensionmember 12 forcing the same slightly upward to the position shownindotted lines, and upon passing the center of gravityfso to speak, thetension exerted by the member i 12 will exert itself to hold thesupporting leg 19 in its extended position. I

From the foregoing, it will be I have provided a novel type ofsupporting leg for the platform of folding cameras clear which occupiesa minimum amount of space on the platform, and which is frictionallyheld in either of its adjusted positions by the spring tension of theplatform rail member.

" tothe exact form shown other than by the V appended claim. V

' I claim 1- In combination with the platform of a camera provided witha countersunk opensaid leg is held in W ing, an apertured bearing platemounted in i extending downwardly through said opening and aperture, afixed rail plate on said platform provided with a resilient tongue.

struck therefrom overlying said opening and. engageable with said offsetportion whereby adjusted position.

LEW W. LESSLEB...

